Community Submissions Sought On Rubbish and Recycling

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​Thursday 7 August 2014

Ashburton District Council is calling for residents and business owners to have their say on Council's proposed new rubbish and recycling collection system.

Known as the Hybrid System, the proposed option introduces a wheelie bin service for recycling (paper, cardboard, cans and plastics) retains the green crate for glass only and provides residents and business owners with the choice to either use pre-paid rubbish bags or a wheelie bin for the collection of their rubbish.

Andrew Guthrie, Assets Manager, says a survey of residents' preferences regarding rubbish and recycling collection undertaken earlier this year indicated the majority would prefer a wheelie bin service but there remains a significant number of people who like the current bag service Council provides.

"In response to this feedback and after evaluating all available information, Council is proposing a system that offers residents and business owners more choices," says Mr Guthrie.

"The recommended approach provides flexibility and accommodates different people's needs," he says.

Other choices included in this public consultation include retaining the current system or changing to an option that utilises a wheelie bin for recycling (paper, cans and plastic), a wheelie bin for rubbish and a green crate for recycling glass only.

"Council is calling for people to tell us what they think of our proposed option – whether they support it and want to start using it, or if they prefer one of the other two options," says Mr Guthrie.

Stuart Wilson, Service Delivery Committee Chairman, says the Hybrid system is all making the right decision on this matter for the long-term good of our community and environment.

"One of our objectives is to minimise waste disposal to landfill. The total amount of waste in our district going to landfill has been increasing over the past three years and we believe the proposed system will enable people to recycle more and therefore reduce the amount of rubbish going to Kate Valley," says Mr Wilson.

"The proposed system will also better enable us to keep pace with changes in the waste management industry that are increasing the opportunities for recycling. For example, keeping glass separate from other recycling allows more material to be recycled and provides a better return for recycled material free of glass contamination," he says.

Council's rubbish and recycling consultation document - which details the three possible rubbish and recycling collection systems - along with a submission form, are now available on Council's website and hard copies may be picked up from Council's office at 5 Baring Square West and from Ashburton District Library.

Both documents are being delivered to all homes in the district in The Courier on Thursday 21 August.

The easiest way to make a submission is to complete it online at ashburtondc.govt.nz.

Submissions can be presented to Council on 7 and 8 October 2014 and if people wish to be heard in support of their submission, they will be advised of a time to present.

"We hope people take the time to look at the options, consider what they think is best for them, the community and the environment and make a submission," says Mr Guthrie.

Residents have until Tuesday 9 September to get their submission in to Council.